Newport Travellers moved on to another illegal site - Wales

GYPSIES who set up an illegal encampment on land in Newport were given Welsh Government approval to move to another unauthorised site in the city.

A family, living in ten to 12 caravans, moved onto the former Pirelli cables factory site near Telford Street, Lliswerry, in October.

But after concerns were raised their presence was threatening a £20 million housing development on adjacent land, business minister Edwina Hart organised for them to be moved to Welsh Government-owned land at Tatton Road, Queensway Meadows on February 26.

A document leaked to the Argus states the Tatton Road site, which is unused land amongst industrial units and does not have residential planning consent, was identified as being suitable subject to some security and safety works being completed.

The document states a number of businesses in the area had contacted the Welsh Government in respect of the new encampment and have been told it is to be “tolerated”, but agreed it would monitor the situation to ensure those living there did not become a nuisance.

All four Lliswerry councillors hit out at the lack of consultation over the new Gypsy camp.

Cllr John Richards said he was “greatly concerned” by the way the Welsh Government had dealt with the issue and is angry at the use of the Tatton Road site as it does not have planning consent.

Cllr Allan Morris added: “We are not anti-Traveller, but the fact is the local representatives are the last ones to know.”

Cllr Roger Jeavons and Cllr Ken Critchley said they had both been contacted by businesses worried about the presence of Gypsies.

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said that in the absence of any official Gypsy and Traveller facilities in Newport, the encampment at Tatton Road would be tolerated until more permanent and suitable facilities were provided by the local authority.

The council is currently drawing up plans for five temporary and permanent Gipsy sites in Bettws, Lliswerry and Marshfield as part of its Local Development Plan.

EDITORIAL COMMENT from the South Wales Argus: Tactics are wrong

WE have said on many occasions that we understand why people do not want Gypsy camps near their homes and we believe it is up to the Gypsy community themselves to prove that they can integrate into communities.

So we are a little perplexed that the Welsh Government now appears to be making deals with Gypsies and telling them where they can move and be ‘tolerated’.

We understand the concern about having a camp set up on the former Pirelli site that threatened a £20million housing development.

But there are laws in place to move people on from where they are not legally entitled to be.

We do not believe doing deals sends out the right message.

With consultations currently taken place to find a permanent Gypsy camp, in what is one of the most difficult decisions that will be made by the local council in many years, we feel, like us, the public will be miffed by this unusual step taken by the government.